Powwow celebrates Native cultures for Indigenous Peoples’ Day

On Monday, Oct. 9, students and community members gathered to honor Indigenous cultures on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus with a powwow marking Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The event, hosted by Wunk Sheek, a student organization, welcomed all who attended to an evening of dancing, singing, food and celebration.

The evening’s program, emceed by Artley Skenandore, a member of the Oneida Nation, featured host drum from Oka Homma of the Choktaw Nation and head dancers, Miinan White, Ojibwe and Ho-Chunk Nation, and Ken Funmaker Sr of the Ho-Chunk Nation.

In an open event space, a group of people dance in powwow regalia.

At right, Azrielle Swallow, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation and a UW student from Tomah, Wis., joins an inter-tribal dance. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Pictured with an iconic eagle design adorning the back of his shirt, Sean Tourtillott, a member of the Menominee Indian Tribe and representative of the American Indian Council on Alcoholism, speaks during the powwow. Photo by: Jeff Miller

In the middle of the room, a group of eight sit in a circle, singing as they drum.

Oka Homma of the Choctaw nation provided host drum for the powwow. Photo by: Jeff Miller

A woman wearing a head piece adorned with long, pointed pheasant feathers, spins as she dances.

Isabella Portillo of Aztec Indian Dance a local Madison performance group, participates in the dancing. Photo by: Jeff Miller

A woman wearing a white top and red shawl speaks into a microphone.

Kira Adkins, president of Wunk Sheek, addresses those who gathered for the powwow. Photo by: Jeff Miller

In a photo taken from behind, three women wear regalia adorned with intricate beadwork.

Indigenous beadwork and metal adorn the regalia of three tribal dancers. Photo by: Jeff Miller

A close shot of Indigenous regalia in motion. The blue hem is adorned with shining metal and tassels.

A dancer’s regalia in motion. Photo by: Jeff Miller

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Photo gallery Powwow celebrates Native cultures for Indigenous Peoples’ Day

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